Cyprus

Question 1

Year Cyprus gained independence

Answer 1

1960

• NE under Turkish occupation since 1974

Question 2

World’s oldest continually produced named wine

Answer 2

Commandaria

• documented in 800 BCE

Question 3

What was Commandaria originally referred as?

Answer 3

nama

• meaning “sweet wine”

Question 4

Commandaria is made from what native red and white varietals?

Answer 4

• Mavro: red
• Xynisteri: white
• sun-dried for about two weeks, often adjacent to the vineyards

Question 5

How are Mavro and Xynisteri trained?

Answer 5

bush vines

Question 6

Four large beverage companies that dominated Commandaria production throughout the 20th century.

Answer 6

• KEO
• Etko
• Sodap
• Loel

Question 7

Cyprus
Number of PDOs

Answer 7

7 (nearly completely unused)

• Commandaria
• Pitsilia
• Krasochoria Lemesou (the Winemaking Villages of Limassol)
• Krasochoria Lemesou-Laona
• Krasochoria Lemesou-Afames
• Vouni Panayia-Ampelitis
• Laona Akama

Question 8

Cyprus

4 PGIs

(more common)

Answer 8

• Larnaka
• Lemesos (Limassol)
• Lefkosia (Nicosia)
• Pafos

Question 9

Cyprus

most widely planted grape

Answer 9

Mavro, “black”: red

Question 10

Cyprus

most planted white grape

Answer 10

Xynisteri

• “lacking acidity”, although aging potential and complexity

Question 11

Two other native white grapes bottled varietally from Cyprus

Answer 11

• Promara
• Morokanella

Question 12

Two other native reds bottled varietally from Cyprus

Answer 12

• Maratheftiko
• Yiannoudin

Question 13

Oldest continually produced named wine

Answer 13

Commandaria – 800BC, raiisinated/fortifiied wines from Mavro/Xynestri

Question 14

Notable mountain range of Cyprus:

Answer 14

Troodos Mountains

Question 15

Differences between vintage and non-vintage Commandaria PDO

Answer 15

Vintage

Typically higher in Xynisteri unfortified, smaller batch (more frequently smaller producer)

Non Vintage

Mass produced (typically by large firms) fortified

Question 16

Differences between PDO and PGI in Cyprus:

Answer 16

Producers favor PGI for regionality/freedom

Question 17

Most planted grape in Cyprus:

Answer 17

Mavro (“black”)

Question 18

T/F: Most of Cyprus is planted on its own rootstock

Answer 18

True – phylloxera never made it to the island

Question 19

T/F - Vines on Cyprus are mainly own-rootstock

Answer 19

True

Question 20

What is the most widely planted red grape of Cyprus

Answer 20

Mavro

Question 21

What is the only widely-used PDO of Cyprus

Answer 21

Commandaria PDO

Question 22

What are the allowed styles of Commandaria PDO

Answer 22

Raisin wine, Fortified wine

Question 23

What is the minimum vine age for a PDO wine from Cyprus?

Answer 23

5 years

Question 24

Name 3 PDOs of Cyprus?

Answer 24

Pitsilia, Vouni Panayia, Laona-Akama, Krasochoria:Lemesour, Lemesou-Afames, Laone, Commandaria

Question 25

All **Cypriot PDOs** EXCEPT Commandaria require what min % of what grape?

Answer 25

Min 85% Xynisteri

Question 26

Name 3 Cypriot indigenous red grapes?

Answer 26

**Maratheftiko Yioannoudi Ofthalmo Lefkada**

Question 27

What is the most planted grape of Cyprus?

Answer 27

Xynisteri

Question 28

What are pitharia?

Answer 28

The great pitharia or wine-jars of Cyprus are made up of successive thick coils of clay that need to dry before the next is added.

Question 29

Where is most Cyprus viticulture concentrated and why?

Answer 29

South - north is controlled by Turkey

Question 30

Name 3 producers of Commandaria?

Answer 30

KEO, Etko, Sodap, Loel, St John

Question 31

What is the minimum aging period for Commandaria?

Answer 31

2 years

Question 32

What is mana?

Answer 32

Solera-like aging system of Commandaria

Question 33

What is the dominant mountain range of Cyprus?

Answer 33

Troodos Mountains

Question 34

Where does Commandaria get its name?

Answer 34

In 1191 King Richard I (called the Lionheart) departed on the Third Crusade. He passed Cyprus on the way to the Holy Land and he conquered the island which was later purchased by the Knights Templar. The Knights settled on a place on the island that they called Commandaria. The local wine was given the same name.